On Mar. 15, 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed a Consumer Bill of Rights in a message to Congress that established four foundational rights: to safety, to be informed, to choose, and to be heard.

In his speech the President discussed his plans to strengthen existing programs and enact new legislation to safeguard against monopolies and increase regulatory control over foods, drugs, and cosmetics.

This landmark initiative aimed to protect consumers from hazardous products, deceptive information, and monopolistic practices, setting the stage for future consumer protection legislation.